50 Ultimate Travel Apps

Embed Size (px)

Citation preview

  • 8/12/2019 50 Ultimate Travel Apps

    1/20

    Home Video World U.S. Africa Asia Europe Latin America Middle East Business World S

    EDITION: INTERNATIONAL U.S. MXICO ARABIC

    TV: CNNi CNN en Espaol

    50 ultimate travel apps ... so farIt's hard to keep up with all the travel apps being released -- which is why we've pulled out the best50 to date

    By Rick Martin(/author/rick-martin) 4 September, 2012

    9

    There is of course one smartphone app no true traveler could ever do without. This one

    (http://www.cnngo.com/mobile) .

    But once you've downloaded that, why not browse these too?

    We're going to skip over obvious ones like Twitter, Facebook, Skype, Gowalla, Foursquare,

    Instagram, Google Earth/Maps, as worthy as they are, for ones you may have overlooked, but

    shouldn't.

    Also on CNNGo: 20 most iconic skyscrapers(http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/life/20-most-iconic-skyscrapers-343149%20)

    1. Kayak -- Flight search

    More than a few trips begin with Kayak, one of the web's most popular travel services. Its mobile

    apps are great as well, allowing you to search flight details with ease on a mobile device.

    I especially like the "explore" function, which presents you with a map of the world and the prices

    that it would cost to travel to various locations. For those who dream about traveling as much as

    they actually travel, the Kayak app is for you.

    I mean seriously, who knew about these little Mariana Islands?

    Like Send 5 people like this. Sign Upto see what your friends like. 8

    Page 1 o

    1/14/http://travel.cnn.com/explorations/shop/50-ultimate-travel-apps-so-far-353352

  • 8/12/2019 50 Ultimate Travel Apps

    2/20

    The world in the palm of your hand.

    The magazine, condensed.

    A Lonely Planet book store on your phone.

    Download: iOS (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/kayak-flight-hotel-

    search/id305204535?mt=8) | Android Market

    (https://market.android.com/details?

    id=com.kayak.android&feature=search_result)

    Also on CNNGo: New 7 wonders of nature(http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/escape/10-finalists-7-new-wonders-

    nature-158878%20)

    (https://market.android.com/details?id=com.kayak.android&feature=search_result)

    2. Time Out -- Location guide

    Time Out has an assortment of apps for big cities New

    York, Paris, and London as well as for pacific hubs like

    Kuala Lumpur, Sydney, and Melbourne.

    While it would be better if more cities were available, the

    ones that do have guides are well served with lots of

    information about entertainment, nightlife, and the best

    places to eat near you.

    The apps I tried were location-aware (if you allow it) and

    will then show you points of interest nearby.

    Visit Time Out Digital on iTunes

    (http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/time-out-digital-ltd/id345010379)

    3. Lonely Planet Travel Guides

    As you might expect, Lonely Planet has a lot of guides

    and phrasebook apps available in Apple's App Store. And

    just as you likely have more than one Lonely Planet book

    on your bookshelf, it's very possible that you're going to

    buy more than one Lonely Planet guide.

    In order to manage your Lonely Planet purchases, you

    can add a sort of Lonely Planet catch-all app, which lets

    you access its entire catalog, including stored titles you've

    bought already.

    Download for iOS

    (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/lonely-planet-travel-guides/id317165182?mt=8)

    Page 2 o

    1/14/http://travel.cnn.com/explorations/shop/50-ultimate-travel-apps-so-far-353352

  • 8/12/2019 50 Ultimate Travel Apps

    3/20

    Less thinking means more time for doing.

    World's best destinations, digitalized.

    4. TripIt -- Travel planner

    All those confirmation mails that you get from hotels and

    airlines, you can simply forward along to

    [email protected], which will then magically generate a

    digital itinerary that you can refer to on your mobile

    device.

    You can add multiple trips to TripIt if you're a frequenttraveler, or just use it for a single vacation. TripIt was

    awarded Best Travel Mobile App for 2011 at the Webby

    Awards. It's not hard to see why.

    Download: iOS(http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/tripit-travel-

    organizer/id311035142?mt=8) | Android Market

    (https://market.android.com/details?id=com.tripit&feature=search_result)

    5. Evernote -- Organizer

    This popular digital note-taking app makes for a very helpful travel companion as well. I've notused it on trips myself, but Brett Terpstra recently pointed out that the app can really shine when

    you're on the road.

    Take pictures of receipts and other important paperwork, and let Evernote's OCR help with the

    cataloguing. While I'm not a big fan of the Evernote desktop app (Brett's Notational Velocity

    (http://notational.net/) wins out there), I think Evernote definitely wins when note-taking on the go.

    Also on CNNGo: Classes to take around the world (http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/play/10-inspiring-courses-take-around-world-302104%20)

    6. UNESCO World Heritage -- Locationguide

    For travelers who would like a bucket list of amazing

    places to visit in their lifetime, the World Heritage app will

    do the trick.

    It costs US$4.99, but that's a pretty good deal for a

    complete list of over 900 sites with 650 photographs as

    well. You can browse sites according to country or by

    classification, and favorite the ones you'd like to revisit

    later.

    Download: iOS

    (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/unesco-world-heritage/id412183802?mt=8)

    Page 3 o

    1/14/http://travel.cnn.com/explorations/shop/50-ultimate-travel-apps-so-far-353352

  • 8/12/2019 50 Ultimate Travel Apps

    4/20

    No math? No problem.

    Not as good as a human, but cheaper.

    7. XE currency exchange

    If you plan to hit multiple countries during your travels, it's

    always useful to have a currency conversion app handy.

    XE.com is one of the best known and most reliable

    currency-related sites on the net, and as you might

    expect, its app is no exception.

    Just set your default currency and you can keep tabs on anumber of others. Perhaps the best thing about it is that it

    remembers the most recently updated rate, so you can

    still convert with reasonable accuracy even when you

    don't have a connection.

    Download: iOS(http://itunes.apple.com/ae/app/xe-

    currency/id315241195?mt=8) | Android Marketplace

    (https://market.android.com/details?id=com.xe.android)

    8. Google Translate

    Few companies bust language barriers better than

    Google, and the Google Translate app does this

    exceptionally well. Like the Google Translate

    (http://translate.google.com/) web service, you can translate

    pieces of text with ease.

    Of course the accuracy is not always perfect, but it's

    about as good as it gets. But where the app excels is in

    voice recognition. It allows you to speak in English (or

    another language) and it will translate what you said into

    the language of your choice.

    If you've ever had difficulty making yourself understood to

    a speaker of a foreign language, then this free app will

    certainly help. Check out a video demo here(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0f7TVV7TOM) .

    Download: iOS (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/google-translate/id414706506?mt=8) | Android Market Place

    (https://market.android.com/details?id=com.google.android.apps.translate&hl=en)

    9. Trip Journal -- Trip documenter

    Currently on sale for US$0.99, Trip Journal(http://www.trip-journal.com/) is an award-winning travel appthat lets you digitally document your trip on your iOS, Android, Bada or Symbian device.

    With Google Maps/Earth integration, you get to map places that you've visited, geo-tag your

    photos and videos, or write blog entries too. Once you're finished you can export trips to

    Facebook where your friends can follow along on your path.

    Download: iOS (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/trip-journal/id341585937?mt=8) | Android Market

    (https://market.android.com/details?id=com.iqapps.mobile.tripjournalfull&hl=en)

    Page 4 o

    1/14/http://travel.cnn.com/explorations/shop/50-ultimate-travel-apps-so-far-353352

  • 8/12/2019 50 Ultimate Travel Apps

    5/20

    Home from phone.

    10. Airbnb -- Accommodation

    Airbnb is an essential app for the tech-savvy backpacker,

    listing affordable accommodation around the globe --

    ranging "from a private apartment to a private island."

    In addition to searching for places to stay, you can also

    offer your own room for rent, if you'd like to make a little

    extra money. So far there are 150,000 places listed in190 countries. In-app messaging to guests/hosts make

    communication frictionless, keeping all activity on your

    mobile.

    Download: iOS (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/airbnb/id401626263?

    mt=8) | Android Market(https://market.android.com/details?

    id=com.airbnb.android&feature=search_result#?

    t=W251bGwsMSwxLDEsImNvbS5haXJibmIuYW5kcm9pZCJd)

    Also on CNNGo: 10 of the world's ultimate sights (http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/escape/10-cool-

    sights-world-111739%20)

    11. Dropbox -- File sharing/storage

    In the past, if you needed important documents while traveling that often meant scanning and

    emailing them to yourself. But now there's Dropbox.

    Perhaps the best consumer cloud storage service out there, Dropbox gives you two gigabytes of

    free storage with paid options if you need more.

    Having Dropbox on your laptop or phone is also a great way to protect yourself against theft,

    because even if your device is stolen, you still have your key information.

    Download: iOS (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dropbox/id327630330?mt=8) | Android Market

    (https://market.android.com/details?id=com.dropbox.android&hl=en)

    Also on CNNGo: Thrill seeker's bucket list -- 50 crazy things(http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/play/50-thrilling-experiences-116798%20)

    (https://market.android.com/details?id=com.dropbox.android&hl=en)

    12. Dropphox -- Photo sharing/storage

    Dropphox is an application that sends your iPhone photos to the above-mentioned Dropbox,giving you a cloud backup only seconds after you snap off the picture.

    If you share a Dropbox folder with friends or family, then they'll be notified of any photos you take

    in real time. The new version 1.1 supports geo-tagging of photos, although you'll need an Internet

    connection for this function to work.

    Foreign correspondents would do well to install this one. It costs US$1.99.

    Page 5 o

    1/14/http://travel.cnn.com/explorations/shop/50-ultimate-travel-apps-so-far-353352

  • 8/12/2019 50 Ultimate Travel Apps

    6/20

    The death of the SD card?

    A tour guide that won't beg you for a tip after.

    Cheaper way to access Wi-Fi spots.

    Download: iOS

    (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dropphox-snap-send-to-dropbox/id411118930?mt=8)

    13. Wikitude -- Location guide

    This is a very handy application that draws a plethora of

    useful info about your surroundings from Wikitravel (a

    Wiki for travelers).

    The display uses Augmented Reality to display

    annotations of nearby points of interest over the top of the

    regular camera display. Wikitude certainly looks useful,

    though it did throw an occasional 'cam view memory

    warning' for me.

    Download: iOS

    (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/wikitude/id329731243?mt=8) | Android

    (https://market.android.com/details?id=com.wikitude)

    14. Skype Wi-Fi-- Communication

    An obvious addition to any travel app list would be Skype

    (http://www.skype.com/) . But a less obvious addition to your

    app repertoire is Skype's recently released Skype Wi-Fi

    application.

    If you've ever been in an airport browsing all the paid Wi-

    Fi hotspots, but not willing to pay for any, then this app

    might be of use. Skype Wi-Fi lets you pay using Skype

    Access(http://www.skype.com/intl/en-us/features/allfeatures/skype-

    wifi/) , and on a per-minute basis too, so you only pay for

    as much time as you need, rather than a full hour or a

    day.

    Download: iOS (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/skype-wifi/id444529922?mt=8)

    Page 6 o

    1/14/http://travel.cnn.com/explorations/shop/50-ultimate-travel-apps-so-far-353352

  • 8/12/2019 50 Ultimate Travel Apps

    7/20

    Takes the hard work out of sightseeing.

    15. AccuWeather -- Weather report

    There are more than a few weather applications available to mobile users. And while I haven't

    tried them all, I think you can't go wrong with AccuWeather.

    The ability to add multiple locations along your trip (place of departure and destination) certainly

    helps, as does the feature that lets you browse tomorrow's forecast by the hour.

    If you're making plans that could be tripped up by weather, this is a wonderful app to have.

    Golfers take note.

    Download: iOS (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/accuweather-com/id300048137?mt=8) | Android Market

    (https://market.android.com/details?id=com.accuweather.android&hl=en)

    Also on CNNGo: 15 city hotel rooms with awesome views(http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/escape/best-city-hotels-view-290637%20)

    16. mTrip -- Location guide/planner

    mTrip travel guides are available for most of the world's

    major cities including many in Asia, such as Tokyo,

    Shanghai, Singapore, Bangkok, and Hong Kong. There

    are offline maps for when you don't have an Internet

    connection, as well as a fancy AR feature that lets you

    browse points of interest nearby.

    There's a function that lets you send virtual postcards to

    friends and family, either via email or on Facebook. The

    trip auto-generated itineraries are slick, mapping out the

    places you plan to go in a given day according to the

    types of places you enjoy (i.e. museums, parks, etc).

    Check out a video demo here(http://www.youtube.com/watch?

    v=h_-PdN1VXTY&) .

    Download: iOS(http://www.mtrip.com/iphone/) | Android Market

    (http://www.mtrip.com/android/)

    17. Highlights for iPad -- Hot spot finder

    As someone who isn't a huge fan of Foursquare or Gowalla, I was pretty tickled to stumble upon

    highlights. This clever app takes all the most popular places that people check into on thoseplatforms, and makes them browsable via a convenient map.

    So if you find yourself in a strange location and you want to find the most popular places in the

    area, just fire up Highlights to see where people check in the most. You can scan reviews and

    photos, and add locations to your personal planner. The app isn't free, but at US$0.99 it's pretty

    close.

    Download: iOS (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/highlights/id428756645?mt=8)

    Page 7 o

    1/14/http://travel.cnn.com/explorations/shop/50-ultimate-travel-apps-so-far-353352

  • 8/12/2019 50 Ultimate Travel Apps

    8/20

    50 million reviews, at least some of whichare real.

    Your third eye when traveling.

    Essentially shows you lots of places youaren't at.

    18. TripAdvisor -- Travel reviews

    TripAdvisor is another wildly popular travel application

    that features a number of practical uses from finding

    flights to hunting hotels.

    Perhaps the biggest plus is the ability to browse so many

    reviews from places of interest. Like many of the travel

    applications we've featured on this list, TripAdvisor alsocomes with an augmented reality function called "Live

    View."

    Download: iOS (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/tripadvisor-hotels-

    flights/id284876795?mt=8) | Android Market

    (https://market.android.com/details?id=com.tripadvisor.tripadvisor&feature=search_result)

    19. Google Goggles -- Imagesearch/translate

    This innovative app has received much attention since it

    first hit the Android Market. It lets you search on Google

    by just taking a picture. So, if you're visiting a landmark,

    you can take a picture which Google will then analyze

    and provide results for.

    More practical however is the OCR function, which will let

    you take pictures of foreign text, which you can then run

    through Google Translate. Google has a demo video here

    (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hhgfz0zPmH4) if you'd like to

    learn more.

    Download: Android Market

    (https://market.android.com/details?id=com.google.android.apps.unveil)

    20. Orient -- Location finder

    This is a very simple app, but it's one of my favorites.

    Orient gives you a sort of compass view of a list of

    locations, showing you where certain locations are in

    relation to you. When you fire up the app, it shows major

    world cities.

    But to get the full benefit, try adding all the places you

    plan to visit during your next day trip. If you're doing a

    walking tour of a city, Orient show you the direction and

    distance of all your destinations.

    Page 8 o

    1/14/http://travel.cnn.com/explorations/shop/50-ultimate-travel-apps-so-far-353352

  • 8/12/2019 50 Ultimate Travel Apps

    9/20

    Ninety-nine yards to a bar -- that'll work up athirst.

    Also comes with a buy 10 room nights getone free perk.

    Orient Lite is a free application, but there is a US$0.99 version

    (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/orient/id362987455?mt=8) with slick AR functionality.

    Download: iOS (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/orient/id362987455)

    Also on CNNGo: World's 15 most spectacular swimming pools(http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/life/worlds-15-most-spectacular-swimming-pools-242465%20)

    21. AroundMe -- Location finderThis aptly named app tells you all the points of interest

    that are located near you. It detects your current location,

    and lets you select from categories like bars, cafs,

    hospitals, and hotels to filter though the results.

    You can review the places on a map, or try the AR

    feature with markers overlaid on your phone' camera

    viewfinder. It's undoubtedly a quality app, but its mileage

    may vary as some locations do not have as many results

    as others (I tried Tokyo, and the results were not sohelpful).

    Download: iOS

    (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/aroundme/id290051590) | Android

    Market (https://market.android.com/details?id=com.tweakersoft.aroundme&hl=en)

    Also on CNNGo: The travel mates you meet in hell(http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/life/10-hostel-mates-you-meet-hell-425328%20)

    (https://market.android.com/details?id=com.tweakersoft.aroundme&hl=en)

    22. Hotels.com -- AccommodationYou've probably already figured out what this app does.

    The Hotels.com app lets you search and book hotels all

    from your mobile phone. The location-aware function

    makes it possible to find the closest hotel where you are

    currently.

    Users can also access their reservation information even

    without an Internet connection. Even if you aren't a

    member of Hotels.com, the app is still extremely useful if

    you're in a new city looking for a place to stay.

    Download: iOS (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/find-hotels-hotel-

    booking/id284971959?mt=8) | Android Market

    (https://market.android.com/details?id=com.hcom.android&feature=search_result)

    Page 9 o

    1/14/http://travel.cnn.com/explorations/shop/50-ultimate-travel-apps-so-far-353352

  • 8/12/2019 50 Ultimate Travel Apps

    10/20

    Communicating without talking.

    A fun way to find flights.

    23. Converse -- Translate

    This iPad application is a very innovative one, but it isn't

    without flaws. Much like the Google Translate app,

    Converse aims to solve travelers' language woes with a

    real-time mobile solution.

    With keyboards on opposite sides of your iPad, two

    people can face each other and communicate by typingon the iPad. So far, messages can be translated into

    English, French, Spanish, German, Portuguese, Italian,

    and Dutch.

    But the biggest issue is that it requires an internet

    connection to work, so travelers on the road might be left

    to their pocket phrasebooks more often than not. However for someone like a hotel concierge with

    constant access to a connection, it could be a very snazzy work tool.

    Download: iOS

    (http://itunes.apple.com/app/converse/id454500959?ls=1&mt=8)

    24. Hipmunk Flight Search

    Here's another flight search app that wins points for style.

    Flight options on Hipmunk are presented not in a list but

    rather on a sort of visual timeline sorted by various

    criteria.

    Perhaps the most interesting sort filter is "Agony," which

    shows you the least painful of your options. You can sort

    by conventional filters like price, duration, and departuretime.

    Download: iOS

    (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/hipmunk-flight-search/id419950680)

    25. Skyscanner -- Flight search

    If you need to check flight availability and prices on the go, Skyscanner is a must for your iOS or

    Android device. It's a free application that covers over 670,00 flights on more than 600 airlines.

    The scroll date selection is pretty convenient, and I got a kick out of the airplane loading bar that

    appeared while I was waiting for search results. For anyone who flies regularly, this is a great

    app.

    Download: iOS (http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/skyscanner-all-flights-everywhere!/id415458524?mt=8) | Android

    Market (https://market.android.com/details?id=net.skyscanner.android.main)

    Page 10

    1/14/http://travel.cnn.com/explorations/shop/50-ultimate-travel-apps-so-far-353352

  • 8/12/2019 50 Ultimate Travel Apps

    11/20

  • 8/12/2019 50 Ultimate Travel Apps

    12/20

    Proving that somewhere there is an app foreverything.

    Combining some of the single apps alreadyout there.

    Bigger, bolder and better than your regularmobile app.

    28. uPackingList -- Travel organizer

    It's debatable whether or not you really need an app to

    help you put your stuff in a suitcase. But for those who

    do, uPacking List provides an assortment of common

    items that you can choose from and add to your list.

    In the interests of testing the app, I made up a

    hypothetical list as a demonstration (pictured). The app isad-supported, but there's a paid option

    (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/upackinglist/id323241118?mt=8) if you

    don't like the advertising.

    Download: iOS(http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/upackinglist-

    free/id323363997?mt=8) | Android Market

    (https://market.android.com/details?id=com.nixsolutions.upack&hl=en)

    29. Living Earth HD -- Travel organizer

    This application rolls a lot of functions into one, rangingfrom weather, to a world clock, to an alarm for when you

    need a wake-up call.

    Throw in a beautiful interface and you have a great

    addition to your travel app arsenal. Living Earth HD isn't

    free, but it's currently discounted 50 percent, to US$0.99.

    Download: iOS

    (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/living-earth-hd-world-clock/id379869627?mt=8)

    30. Knapsack -- Travel organizer

    While this list is practically all mobile apps, I'm going to

    include one exception to the rule. Because after all, more

    than a few of us bring along a laptop when we travel, so it

    stands to reason that a Mac travel app could be a useful

    addition.

    Knapsack for Mac is a useful multi-purpose travel app

    that includes map integration, itinerary and iCal functions,

    as well as to-do lists. It costs US$29, but give the free

    demo a try first to see if it's a good fit for you.

    Download: Mac OS X(http://outerlevel.com/knapsack/)

    Page 12

    1/14/http://travel.cnn.com/explorations/shop/50-ultimate-travel-apps-so-far-353352

  • 8/12/2019 50 Ultimate Travel Apps

    13/20

    One expense you won't need to record -- thisapp's. It's free.

    Also on CNNGo: Best travel products for 2012 (http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/shop/10-holiday-gifts-every-traveler-802497?page=0,0%20)

    31. World Atlas HD -- Maps

    For travelers with stops in multiple countries, this app by the National Geographic Society is a

    good reference. The design of the maps included with this app are a refreshing change from

    normal digital maps.

    But if you have an Internet connection, you can still zoom in to view small details on Microsoft

    Bing maps. You can also browse interesting data and statistics regarding the countries you plan

    to visit.

    Download: iOS (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/world-atlas-hd/id364733950?mt=8)

    Also on CNNGo: How photography has ruined travel(http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/life/tell-me-about-it/james-durston-photography-has-ruined-travel-361992%20)

    32. Expensify -- Finance organizer

    This popular app is a great companion for business

    travelers. Use Expensify to keep track of your purchases

    and transactions by syncing with your credit cards and

    bank accounts.

    The app also acts as a receipt scanner, taking advantage

    of your mobile phone's camera. After your trip, you're sent

    a PDF report of all your spending which you can submit to

    your company for reimbursement.

    Download: iOS

    (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/expensify/id306670109?mt=8) |

    Android Market

    (https://market.android.com/details?id=org.me.mobiexpensifyg&hl=en)

    33. GateGuru -- Airport guide

    If you're a person who spends a lot of time in airports, GateGuru will be a godsend. This app

    contains a detailed list of places within 120 airports worldwide, including different terminals, cafs,

    restaurants and gift shops.

    There are lots of reviews available for some airports, although when I browsed Narita it was

    sorely lacking. Nonetheless, having access to so many airport maps on the go is very helpful,

    especially if you find yourself running late and unsure of where you need to go.

    Download: iOS (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/gateguru-featuring-airport/id326862399?mt=8) | Android Market

    (http://bit.ly/ggandroid)

    Page 13

    1/14/http://travel.cnn.com/explorations/shop/50-ultimate-travel-apps-so-far-353352

  • 8/12/2019 50 Ultimate Travel Apps

    14/20

    Now you can plan your angry outbursts inadvance.

    Kind of like a mobile memory.

    34. FlightTrack Pro -- Flight information

    This award-winning app is one of the most expensive on

    our list at US$9.99, but it's also one of the most practical.

    FlightTrack Pro integrates with TripIt, importing your flight

    itinerary so you can track its status in real time.

    Flight maps show your progress as well as the current

    weather. Knowing the status of your flight allows you toshare it with people who may be waiting on the ground,

    via email, Facebook, or Twitter.

    One app review claimed that on occasion the app

    provides even better information than the airline!

    Download: iOS (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id302325893?mt=8)

    | Android Market

    (https://market.android.com/details?id=com.mobiata.flighttrack.pro)

    35. Tripline -- Travel documenterAlthough still in beta, Tripline is a really fun app to play

    with while traveling. You can create a mapped timeline of

    your travels by checking into a location, taking a photo or

    video, or jotting down a few notes about your stop.

    When you return home, you can replay the entire trip in

    an interactive presentation, reviewing your notes and

    collected media that documented your time on the road.

    Download: iOS (http://itunes.apple.com/app/tripline/id417133912?

    mt=8) or access via tripline.net/mobile

    (http://www.tripline.net/mobile/)

    Also on CNNGo: Best fixers for super-rich travelers(http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/escape/best-fixers-super-rich-traveler-860673%20)

    (http://www.tripline.net/mobile/)

    36. My TSA -- U.S. travel information

    For travelers passing through the United States, it certainly helps to be familiar with the rules and

    regulations of the TSA. The My TSA app tells you exactly that, with a practical travelers guidetelling you what sorts of things you can and cannot take with you when you fly.

    The app also provides flight delay information for airports nationwide, as well as tips for how to

    prepare for security checkpoints.

    Download: iOS (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/my-tsa/id380200364?mt=8)

    Page 14

    1/14/http://travel.cnn.com/explorations/shop/50-ultimate-travel-apps-so-far-353352

  • 8/12/2019 50 Ultimate Travel Apps

    15/20

    A radar always looks good, whatever it'ssearching for.

    The redeye should now be called thebrighteye.

    Never get lost again. Shame.

    37. Wi-Fi Finder

    Many of the apps on this list are dependent on an Internet

    connection. This application helps ensure that you have

    one by helping you find one of over 500,000 locations

    listed worldwide.

    You can filter according to whether a hot spot is free or

    paid, although in some countries, the results are less thanideal. I explored some of the regions for Asia, and many

    places didn't show a lot of results.

    The app is free though, so there's no harm in trying it out.

    Download: iOS(http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/wi-fi-

    finder/id300708497?mt=8) | Android Market

    (https://market.android.com/details?id=com.jiwire.android.finder&feature=search_result)

    38. JetLag Genie -- Health

    If your trip is going to include a long flight, you might want

    to invest a couple of bucks into JetLag Genie.

    Once you specify all your flight information and sleep

    patterns, the application tells you what course of action

    you should take -- before, during and after your flight -- to

    minimize jet lag.

    For international travelers, this is a great app.

    Download: iOS

    (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/jetlag-genie/id426988420?mt=8&ls=1)

    39. tripwolf -- Location guide

    The tripwolf app provides access to travel guides for most

    of the world's major cities. And while the main app is free,

    if you want an in-depth city guide, you can purchase it in-

    app for about US$5.

    There's an augmented reality viewer, and those are

    always fun for looking at points of interest nearby. But

    perhaps the most useful feature is having maps available

    when offline.

    Page 15

    1/14/http://travel.cnn.com/explorations/shop/50-ultimate-travel-apps-so-far-353352

  • 8/12/2019 50 Ultimate Travel Apps

    16/20

    Best way to get itchy feet.

    Download: iOS (http://itunes.apple.com/en/app/tripwolf-your-worldwide-travel-guide/id318062323?mt=8) | Android

    Market

    (https://market.android.com/details?id=com.tripwolf)

    40. Fotopedia Heritage -- Image-basedlocation guide

    Another great way to browse UNESCO World Heritage

    sites is by using the award-winning Fotopedia Heritageapp. You can browse all world heritage sites on a single

    map, and click through to view information about them as

    well as stunning photography.

    It's available for both iPhone and iPad, although if you

    want to experience the full benefit of the application, try it

    on the iPad.

    Download: iOS (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id383327395&mt=8)

    Also on CNNGo: 7 sci-fi innovations that will changetravel (http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/escape/7-futuristic-innovations-will-change-travel-893079%20)

    41. aMetro -- Transport information

    Most of the major world cities will have applications for navigating city trains or subways. For

    bigger cities like Tokyo, there are more robust options available(http://www.cnngo.com/tokyo/play/3-

    applications-navigating-iphone-japan-965697) .

    But if you'd like a single app that gives you access to transit systems all over the world (in 180

    cities to be exact) then aMetro(http://www.ametro.org/) is the way to go. There's a video demo of the

    app in action available on YouTube(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZAxArpLFdw) if you'd like apreview.

    Download: Android Market (https://market.android.com/details?id=org.ametro&feature=search_result)

    Also on CNNGo: Met on a plane? Website reconnects mid-air tristes(http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/life/website-reconnects-fliers-who-forgot-swap-numbers-658337%20)

    42. Convert Clothes -- Clothing size converter

    While shopping abroad, travelers often run into the dilemma of figuring out foreign sizes.

    Thankfully the Convert Clothes app for iPhone has you covered.

    Whether you're shopping for shoes, pants, a shirt, or even a bra, the app converts sizes for a

    number of different countries (Britain, Japan, Korea, France, for to name a few). It's a simple app

    that performs a simple task, and best of all it's free.

    Download: iOS (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/convert-clothes/id395653120?mt=8)

    :?subject=50 ultimate travel apps ...

    ://travel.cnn.com/explorations/shop/50

    l-apps-so-far-353352)

    Page 16

    1/14/http://travel.cnn.com/explorations/shop/50-ultimate-travel-apps-so-far-353352

  • 8/12/2019 50 Ultimate Travel Apps

    17/20

    For YouTubers on the go.

    No more angry waiters/hairdressers/cab

    drivers.

    Even nature lovers need to get on the gridoccasionally.

    43. iMovie -- Video

    I nearly overlooked this one, but if you decide to shoot

    any video on your trip using an Apple mobile device, then

    you're probably going to want to drop US$5 on iMovie.

    Choose a theme and edit your video and add music or

    sound effects, and share with your friends online when

    you're finished (publish to YouTube, Facebook, orVimeo). Once you get the hang of video editing on a

    mobile device, you'll have one less reason to bring along

    your laptop.

    Download: iOS

    (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/imovie/id377298193?mt=8)

    44. Tipping Bird -- Tipping information

    Tipping is a practice that can vary from one country to the

    next. Indeed in many cultures, they might not even tip at

    all.

    The Tipping Bird app lets you select a country, and then it

    tells you a recommended tip for typical situations, such as

    in restaurants or taxis. You can also convert the currency

    to your own, just so you have a relative idea of how big a

    hole you're burning in your pocket.

    Download: Android Market

    (https://market.android.com/details?id=com.jeremydw.tippingbird)

    45. EveryTrail -- Location guide

    For those who especially enjoy the great outdoors,

    EveryTrail is an important app to bring along. In addition

    to letting you map your route via GPS, EveryTrail also

    contains the shared trails of other users.

    So if you find yourself in a strange land in need of arecommended route, try firing up EveryTrail to see if there

    are any shared guides for your area.

    Download: iOS

    (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/everytrail/id342467041?mt=8)

    | Android Market(https://market.android.com/details?

    id=com.globalmotion.everytrail.pro)

    Page 17

    1/14/http://travel.cnn.com/explorations/shop/50-ultimate-travel-apps-so-far-353352

  • 8/12/2019 50 Ultimate Travel Apps

    18/20

    Great pictures just a download away.

    Yep, even down to the cents. Don't say we'renot for equality.

    Also on CNNGo: 10 mountains for every level of climber(http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/play/10-mountains-every-kind-climber-142453%20)

    (https://market.android.com/details?id=com.globalmotion.everytrail.pro)

    46. Postagram -- Communication

    While sharing postcards online is great for most people, it's possible that you might have a few

    loved ones who have yet to join the digital world.

    Postagram solves this problem by letting you create a postcard with photos on your iPhone, and

    then ships it as a physical postcard to whoever you choose. There is a charge of course, but there

    always is when sending mail, right?

    Download: iOS (http://postagramapp.com/download/iphone) | Android Market

    (http://postagramapp.com/download/android)

    47. Photosynth -- Photography

    If you happen to find yourself standing in awe at some

    spectacular view or landscape, you'll need some way tocapture the scene to share with friends later.

    Thankfully there are a number of panorama applications

    out there. Pano (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id293709029?

    mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4) and 360 Panorama

    (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/360-panorama/id377342622?mt=8&ign-

    mpt=uo%3D4) are both available for US$1.99 each, but if

    you'd like a free one, try out Microsoft's Photosynth.

    In addition to panning horizontally, you can also pan

    vertically -- even creating a full sphere panorama if youlike.

    Download: iOS (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/photosynth/id430065256?mt=8)

    48. Trip Splitter -- Finance organizer

    This app is a handy way to divy up travel costs if you're

    on a trip with friends. Most of the time, whoever has the

    cash readily available will pay, but quite often it can be

    tricky to remember who paid for what at the end of your

    travels.

    Trip Splitter (for iPhone or iPad) helps you do this,

    although the less-than-intuitive interface does take some

    getting used to. There's a free version that supports

    inputs for two travelers, but if you have more people

    whose payments you want to track, you'll want the paid

    version (US$1.99).

    Page 18

    1/14/http://travel.cnn.com/explorations/shop/50-ultimate-travel-apps-so-far-353352

  • 8/12/2019 50 Ultimate Travel Apps

    19/20

    Can't put a price on health? Actually youcan. US$0.99.

    (/author/rick-martin)

    Download: iOS

    (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/trip-splitter/id374395458?mt=8)

    49. mPassport -- Health

    mPassport(http://www.mpassport.com) apps give you medical

    resources for a number of cities around the world,

    including many in which assistance in English might be

    otherwise hard to find.

    The service claims to be a "mobile, medical, concierge"

    with English-speaking doctors and dentists available in

    many cities around the world. Apps for each city cost

    US$0.99.

    Download: iOS

    (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mpassport-tokyo/id385113776?mt=8)

    50. Due -- Travel organizer

    Time is always a factor when you travel, so in order to make the most of yours, you might want to

    make use of a reminder or timer application.

    Due(http://www.dueapp.com/) is both of those in one, and you can use it to remind you of important

    tasks on your trip, or you can have it alert you when to move on to the next item on your itinerary.

    For users who want something a little better than Apple's regular calendar app, Due is a great

    addition, though it does cost US$4.99.

    Download: iOS (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/due/id390017969?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4)

    Also on CNNGo: World's 50 best beaches (http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/life/worlds-50-best-beaches-364981%20)

    First published January 2012, updated September 2012

    Rick Martin lives in Tokyo where he writes about technology in Japan,

    China, and around Asia. He contributes to TechInAsia.com, The Japan

    Times and a few other publications. He can be reached via his website,

    1Rick.com(http://www.1Rick.com/) .

    Read more about Rick Martin(/author/rick-martin)

    Tags:

    Page 19

    1/14/http://travel.cnn.com/explorations/shop/50-ultimate-travel-apps-so-far-353352

  • 8/12/2019 50 Ultimate Travel Apps

    20/20

    DISQUS seems to be taking longer than usual. Reload(#) ?

    Page 20